Rhode Island’s Ocean Wind Replaces Diesel Plant

The first U.S. offshore wind farm just shut down a diesel plant

Bobby Magill, May 4, 2017 (Grist)

“…[When America’s first offshore wind farm on Block Island, Rhode Island, went online, officials shut down] the island’s only electricity source — a small diesel-fueled power plant…The island’s 2,000 residents burned about 1 million gallons of diesel fuel annually…Diesel releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other common petroleum-based fuel except for residential fuel oil…Until now, Block Island’s power grid was completely isolated from the mainland…[The wind farm and its connection to the mainland allowed the island to connect to the New England power grid for the first time…[It demonstrates] how renewables are helping to displace fossil fuels on the power grid…[The 5-turbine, 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm is the first ever offshore wind project built in the U.S.and is proving] the viability of offshore wind…If fully developed, offshore turbines could supply four times today’s total U.S. electricity generating capacity…” click here for more

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